Day: October 6, 2021

Yoga is magic! Other than keeping you physically fit, it helps you to be calm and emotionally balanced. It gives you a lot of energy that keeps you productive throughout the day.’

Listen to your body and balance your mind

The most important thing before practicing yoga is to take the necessary time to listen to yourself. This practice is ideal to find a brilliant connection with yourself: it helps you read the signals of your body and your mind. Also, it has other benefits such as fighting depression, stress, relieving anxiety or sleeping problems.

For people with a more spiritual background, the effects of practice start to be felt beyond the physical body and off the mat. Yoga can help connect you more deeply to your sense of purpose and awareness of living in the present. As you start your journey, what you get out of the practice can also change based on your needs.

Once you decide to start practicing, focus on the space you want to perform your routines. Find a quiet place, with a large area, isolated from noise and always plan each session before starting. Do not focus the entire practice on your body, remember that each movement must be conscious and that your mind must receive it in the best way.

Tips to start practicing yoga

Here we will give you some valuable tips to make each session unforgettable:

1.Create a space where you feel comfortable: adapt it your way, you can set it freely, don’t forget that music is vital.
2.Invest in a yoga mat: there are all sizes, colors and prices.
3.Keep your yoga wear simple: Go for loose, comfortable clothing.
4.Keep your space free of furniture or obstacles.
5.Look for a firm and thick surface: avoid doing your routine on soft floors or with imperfections as much as possible.
6.Get a guide, be it a personal teacher, a group class, a book, or a reliable tutorial.
7.Find your yoga style: the world of yoga is immense and with time, you will know which style of yoga best suits your body.
8.If you travel, pack your yoga mat and practice in unique spots at the sunset or sunrise.
9.Eat Mindfully: Eating is key to preparing your body and keeping it light and ready for your next session.
10.Meditate: it is key that you rediscover yourself and give your mind the necessary tools to focus on your body energy and find that perfect balance.
11.Breathe and let yourself go.

The importance of processes in yoga

Many people fear practicing yoga due to a lack of elasticity in the body. We must understand that strength and flexibility are two factors that are acquired with dedication and time.

Yoga will help you to know your body and its limitations, keep in mind that breathing plays an essential role and that the concentration you need to correctly perform each posture depends on it. That is why it is so important to respect the processes, not to demand more of yourself, choose the right foods and be more and more aware of what enters your body, remember that you are what you eat.

Remember that this is a path of self-knowledge and continuous learning, it is not similar to a sport, or a competition to seek results, it is the healthiest way that exists to listen to the body, feed it consciously and find the best version of ourselves.

The vast majority of the foods you find in the supermarket are processed. There are different levels of processing, from the minimally processed among which you can find healthy options, to the highly processed, the latter being the least healthy.

Highly processed or ultra-processed foods are made with ingredients that are not generally used for cooking. They have a high content of salt, sugar, additives, and preservatives to improve texture and increase palatability, which can increase your risk of disease. Plus, they tend to be low in fiber and nutrients.

Minimizing your intake of processed foods has positive effects on your body. Here are 5 ways to eat less processed foods:

Try some natural foods substitutes

Base your meals on natural foods; they are foods that resemble how they are found in nature. Include vegetables, beans, nuts, and whole grains.

Make healthy exchanges, for example: instead of sugary breakfast cereal, opt for oatmeal with fresh fruit; swap bottled dressings for simple homemade vinaigrettes; replace the nut and granola bars with your own mix of nuts and seeds; Instead of chips or fries, opt for homemade popcorn or fresh vegetable sticks.

Switch up your shopping routine

It’s much easier to limit your intake of processed foods when you don’t have any on hand.

Next time you go to the grocery store, fill your cart up with healthy, minimally processed ingredients like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Don’t get carried away by legends like “no added sugar”, “100% natural”, “organic”. Always check the ingredient list and nutrition label. A long list of ingredients is a sign that a food is highly processed.

Look for them to contain the least amount of sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. The ingredients are ordered according to the abundance in the product, from highest to lowest. Sometimes sugar can be hidden under other names.

Try meal prepping

By preparing your food at home, you can control the ingredients and reduce your purchases of fast food or frozen ready meals. It is not about complicating your life in the kitchen. Prepare simple, quick to prepare meals that are easy to carry.

Set aside a specific time once or twice a week to cook your food. So you will have your meals ready for the following days. In addition, you save time, energy in the kitchen and make less mess.

Drink more water

Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are so frequent in our diet that sometimes we do not realize they affect our bodies. It is not easy to go from drinking soda every day to drinking water, but we can do things to reduce its consumption.

Gradually trading these drinks for water throughout the day is a great way to cut back on your intake of processed foods and improve your overall diet quality.

Sparkling or flavored water are two great options if plain water isn’t your favorite beverage. Alternatively, you can try infusing water with fresh fruit or herbs for an added burst of flavor.

Make changes slowly

There’s no need to completely eliminate processed foods from your diet all at once.
In fact, making changes slowly is often more effective and sustainable in the long run. Some research suggests that minor lifestyle changes help form long-lasting habits and make actions that are initially difficult much easier over time.

Each week, try experimenting with one or two of the strategies listed above, then gradually implement more.
Keep in mind that you can still enjoy dining out or eating processed foods in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Coconut oil is one of the biggest crazes in recent years. Health nuts and DIY gurus have come up with infinite ways to use this versatile oil in our daily lives. Here are some of the most innovative uses for coconut oil you can’t miss!

Use it to make toothpaste

Let’s be honest, you probably don’t know what kind of chemicals are in the toothpaste you’re using. Mix coconut oil and baking soda into a paste to create your organic toothpaste.

Use it as shaving cream

Does your skin get too irritated when you shave? We have the perfect solution for you.

Use coconut oil instead of soap or shaving cream to remove the beard, hair from the legs and even the armpits. The coconut oil will leave your skin shiny and moisturized; also, it will prevent hairs from ingrown. There are studies that demonstrate that coconut oil is also antibacterial, so if you were to cut yourself with a rake, it would prevent your wound and skin from getting infected. You can get a jar of coconut oil and heat it under hot water in the shower. Apply it very well on your skin and you will notice how the rake glides smoothly. You can also choose to shave outside of the shower with coconut oil. You will feel that the rake slips less. The best of all? Your skin will be super moisturizing after a shave.

Do-it-yourself natural bug repellant

I think we can agree that mosquitos are the worst. But, if you don’t particularly love spreading chemicals all over your body either using commercial bug sprays. The good news is, you can make your own mosquito repellent that smells amazing, moisturizes and nourishes your skin at the same time. Just combine coconut oil with essential oils and bug repellent properties, like peppermint, citronella or lavender.

Apply it as deodorant

You can’t believe that coconut oil can also be used as a deodorant. If regular deodorants dry out and irritate your skin, it’s time to make your own deodorant. It is the ideal way to apply natural ingredients to your body. You will notice the results immediately. Just combine coconut oil with baking soda and 40-60 drops of essential oils to reduce your odor after your sweat.

Hair Conditioner

The coconut oil will condition, hydrate, protect and prevent frizz in your hair.

Add a little coconut oil to your hands and rub it over your hair for stronger, shinier, healthier, and more conditioned hair. When it’s all full of coconut oil, comb it through and make yourself a bun. You can sleep with the coconut oil to take effect overnight; remember to put a towel on your pillow to avoid getting dirty. The next morning, rinse your hair and wash it as usual.